Chapter Twenty

Marissa looked up at the pair, from her seat. She with Ryan, were looking at the completeness of it all, smiling a small smile, and admiring the perfection. Ryan touched Marissa's hand, which was gently placed on the table, flat down. It looked so lonely, to Ryan. Ryan saw Marissa's face then turn to worry, and Ryan tried to figure out why. Then it hit him- Marissa was probably afraid that the two would never get over the fear, and complete and utter shock of the entire night. It would haunt them in their sleep, and even in their waking moments.

"Marissa, don't worry. One day they will forget- but they have each other to wait for that day." Ryan consoled Marissa. She smiled weakly, as she looked at him, wiggling her hand underneath his a tiny bit.

Marissa sighed, her smile gradually becoming fuller, and brighter. It gleamed like the morning sun against the rippling water, "Ryan, how did you know that's exactly what I was thinking about?" Marissa asked.

"You see, Marissa. When two people are so compatible, and so in love, then it just happens- Just like that." Ryan said simply. Marissa continued to smile, as she stared at Ryan deeply, pleasure in the outskirts of her eyes. She loved how this whole thing felt, with Ryan because it just seemed so flawless, and perfect.

"You've changed." Marissa said, before Ryan could 'read her mind'. She wanted to tell him this on her own. Ryan gave her a questioning look, as he didn't quite know what she meant. He didn't say anything, as he awaited for her to continue, "When you first came to Newport, Ryan, you were different than you are now. You seemed like the tough guy, a guy that wouldn't and simply couldn't let anybody in. I liked you then, but I love you now." Marissa admitted softly.

"I love you too." Ryan said gently, "You know, Marissa, whatever we've been through, and however I've ever hurt you, I'm sorry for it, but I'm not sorry it happened – because without it, we probably wouldn't be like we are today." Ryan admitted, concentrating on Marissa's frivolous eyes.

"Me too," Marissa said, replying to Ryan's mature outlook, "It just seems like something has changed Ryan, and I'm not at all saying it's bad." Marissa said, biting her lip, obviously not knowing what exactly has changed.

"Whatever has changed, I love how things are right now, Marissa." Ryan said, as he started to slowly lean toward Marissa- he stopped a few centimetres from her face, hoping she'd come through the last bit- She did. Soon, they embarked on a kiss so special- a kiss they had never felt before. It was like their first kiss- so unfamiliar, and exciting. Marissa's bone chilled as their lips met, as she too noticed this kiss was so much more different than the rest. Ryan pulled away slowly, opening his eyes, only to see Marissa's still closed, only starting to open. A small smile developed on her lips, as she stared at Ryan thoroughly- gazing at his eyes, the way his hair was perfectly fixed, his lips.

"Wow." Marissa said finally not knowing how else to describe what she had just felt. She decided to consume the overpowering feeling with a smile that only exposed her pearly white teeth. Ryan admired the feeling, not spilling a word in advance, before he felt it was necessary- Marissa seemed to be doing the same thing.

Soon, speech was necessary when a now smiling Summer, and a proud Seth came and sat down at the table, tray replenished with cafeteria food. As they sat down, Marissa and Ryan looked at each other happily, seeing their contagious smiles.

"Hey," Marissa said placidly, running her fingers through her milk-chocolaty hair. Summer sat down, with a now cheery expression on her face. Marissa did not want to know what Seth told her, that made her glow with ecstasy.

"Hey Marissa, Hey Ryan." Summer said, as she devoured a large bite of her salad. Seth smiled at each in turn, as he already had an entire gulp of pizza shoved in his mouth. Marissa and Ryan laughed,

"Hungry?" Ryan asked, with a smile, as he continued to watch Seth chomp down food bluntly. Seth didn't even bother replying, he just seemed much too occupied with completely slaughtering the food on his plate, instead of engaging in a calming conversation.

"What have you been up to?" Summer asked, winking solely to Marissa. Marissa blinked, as she smiled, knowing Summer saw their little situation. Hopefully, no one else did, but everyone kissed occasionally in the cafeteria- nobody cared anymore, especially if it was old news like Marissa and Ryan.

"Nothing really, how about you? Why are you so cheery?" Marissa asked hopefully, attempting to find out what happened in the last five seconds when they weren't observing the two.

"Cheery is always better than upset." Summer said simply, with a wicked smile on her face, saying 'I'm not telling', as a child would say in a sing-song voice.

"Very true," Marissa said, before she drew her attention to Seth, "Have you not eaten in forty years?" She asked, as he now started to withdraw all his power on the helpless pudding.

"Seth wants to be early to class for once." Summer explained, "If he's in late one more time, then he's got a detention. That's why he's eating like a pig on speed." Summer laughed, touching her forehead with the tips of her fingers. Marissa and Ryan too, laughed, but soon it fell silent, trailing an awfully awkward silence.

"Do you all want to do something tonight?" Marissa asked quietly,

"Not if I get detention!" Seth spurted out the door, running at the speed of light, stopping at his locker for a mere ten seconds to grab his books. Like a bullet that had reached its target, Seth stopped dead in his tracks, skidding a little too far. He hadn't noticed his English Teacher, and at such a speed even if he had seen him, it would do no good. His horrified English Teacher turned to his, eyes as wide as tennis balls, turning her coffee as far away from Seth as she could. Seth stopped about a millimetre from his teacher- and her coffee. She glared at him,

"Close call, Cohen." She raised an eyebrow, as she finally relaxed, "You're on time- I commend you on that. But you almost killed me- I'll let you know by the end of class, what I shall do with that seeing you put so much effort into not being late." She walked into the classroom, and at the exact moment the bell rang. Seth didn't want to deal with any cheap accusations, so he slipped his foot into the classroom, even though his teacher was still at the door.

Soon enough, Seth was lost in a swarming stampede of kids, who too, did not want to be late. Seth ran to the nearest seat, avoiding being completely trampled over like an old rag. An uneventful class discussion began soon, allowing Seth to daydream as much as his heart coveted.